Posted January 12, 2021

UnitedHealth Group (UNH) - Get Report agreed to buy Change Healthcare (CHNG) - Get Report in a deal that values the health technology company at more than $13 billion.

UnitedHealth will pay $25.75 a share in cash, the companies said in a joint statement, a 41% premium over Change Healthcare’s closing price Tuesday of $18.24. The $13 billion valuation includes more than $5 billion in debt owed by Change Healthcare.

Shares of Change Healthcare were up 31.72% at $24.02 in trading on Wednesday. UnitedHealth shares were up 0.6% at $346.67.

The deal will combine Change Healthcare with UnitedHealth’s OptumInsight unit to offer software, data analytics, technology and other services to the health care industry, the companies said, adding that the combination will help simplify services around medical care to improve health outcomes and lower costs.

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